Preview — Norwegian by Night
by Derek B. Miller

Norwegian by Night

He will not admit it to Rhea and Lars - never, of course not - but Sheldon can't help but wonder what it is he's doing here..

Eighty-two years old, and recently widowed, Sheldon Horowitz has grudgingly moved to Oslo, with his grand-daughter and her Norwegian husband. An ex-Marine, he talks often to the ghosts of his past - the friends he lost in the Pacific and the son whoHe will not admit it to Rhea and Lars - never, of course not - but Sheldon can't help but wonder what it is he's doing here..

Eighty-two years old, and recently widowed, Sheldon Horowitz has grudgingly moved to Oslo, with his grand-daughter and her Norwegian husband. An ex-Marine, he talks often to the ghosts of his past - the friends he lost in the Pacific and the son who followed him into the US Army, and to his death in Vietnam.

When Sheldon witnesses the murder of a woman in his apartment complex, he rescues her six-year-old son and decides to run. Pursued by both the Balkan gang responsible for the murder, and the Norwegian police, he has to rely on training from over half a century before to try and keep the boy safe. Against a strange and foreign landscape, this unlikely couple, who can't speak the same language, start to form a bond that may just save them both.

An extraordinary debut, featuring a memorable hero, Norwegian by Night is the last adventure of a man still trying to come to terms with the tragedies of his life. Compelling and sophisticated, it is both a chase through the woods thriller and an emotionally haunting novel about ageing and regret....more

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This question contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Not entirely clear to me that Sheldon dies at the end ... would someone like to clarify? Also - the pictures from the pink box - can we assume that they are evidence of war crimes committed by the boy's father? (hide spoiler)]

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My take was ... it's up to the reader whether he dies. The first time I read it (1/14), I thought no. The second time (5/15), I thought yes. So it's…more
My take was ... it's up to the reader whether he dies. The first time I read it (1/14), I thought no. The second time (5/15), I thought yes. So it's up to you to write your own ending.

This answer contains spoilers…
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Warren: Kadri doesn't get out of jail. Enver got to the summer house first in the white Merc. Gjon and Burim showed up without sandwiches or guns.…more
Warren: Kadri doesn't get out of jail. Enver got to the summer house first in the white Merc. Gjon and Burim showed up without sandwiches or guns. Later, The Black arrived. Those were the four in the summer house during the final scene. But to be fair, even my wife said she couldn't remember, so you were in good company!

Community Reviews

I must admit to having a slight crisis of confidence in writing this review, questioning whether I could do justice to just how marvellous this book is. From the first few pages, I was totally immersed in the life of Sheldon Horowitz, our curmudgeonly hero of the piece: a man haunted by the ghosts of his former life and coping with the daily frustrations of growing old. From the synopsis, it is impossible to harness all the themes and subtlety of prose that this book conveys to the reader. On onI must admit to having a slight crisis of confidence in writing this review, questioning whether I could do justice to just how marvellous this book is. From the first few pages, I was totally immersed in the life of Sheldon Horowitz, our curmudgeonly hero of the piece: a man haunted by the ghosts of his former life and coping with the daily frustrations of growing old. From the synopsis, it is impossible to harness all the themes and subtlety of prose that this book conveys to the reader. On one level, not only does the book contain all the quintessential elements of a Scandinavian crime novel, it also encompasses the Korean, Vietnam and Balkan conflicts, and on a more emotional level, presents a poignant and meditative examination of aging and regret, that unusually for this cynical reader, really touched me, engaging me even more with the characters and the multi-faceted plot.

As the book opens we get our first encounter with the beautifully realised character of Sheldon Horowitz, uprooted from his native America following the death of his wife, to live in Norway with his granddaughter Rhea and her husband Lars, and the dynamics of this relationship quickly become clear. Indeed, Sheldon’s first response to Rhea urging him to move to Norway is to tell her to get stuffed, feeling his independence is under threat and resenting her assertion that he is in any way senile. He is stubborn and headstrong, but ingrained with a mordant sense of wit and a deep compassionate humanity, particularly evident in his utter determination to protect the life of the young boy he goes on the run with, and his seemingly testy, but ultimately loving relationship with Rhea. What we recognise at the core of his character is a wiliness and a steely determination tempered by the tragedies he has experienced in the past, in particular the loss of his comrades in Korea and the death of his son Saul (Rhea’s father) in Vietnam. Throughout the book, Miller carefully incorporates touching vignettes of Sheldon’s past life experiences, that convey how a man must rise above tragedy to hold onto his sanity and compassion, and how this dicates Sheldon’s actions, that seem foolhardy at first, to keep those closest to him safe from harm. He is without a doubt one of the most perfectly conceived and constructed characters that I have ever read, and one that will stay with me for a long time.

The plot is completely engaging, constructed as a powerful story of flight and the will for survival. Following a brutal murder in Sheldon’s apartment he, without hesitation, goes on the run with the murder victim’s young son, quickly realising that the boy’s life is under threat. Hampered by the barrier of language, Sheldon and his charge pick their way through the beautifully portrayed backwoods of Norway, pursued not only by the boy’s sinister father and his cronies, but by the Norwegian police. Every protagonist in this scenario is utterly convincing, and with the poignant relationship developing between Sheldon and the boy, stirring up an evocation of Sheldon’s own relationship with his dead son, Saul, the plot is multi-layered and compelling from start to finish. The motif of war runs strongly throughout the book, not only in Sheldon’s reminiscences, but in his reliance on the skills he gained in Korea to outwit those who pursue him and the boy, leading to a dramatic and heartfelt denouement which threatens all involved.

I can only say in closing that I would urge everyone to read this exceptional debut with its powerful and emotive themes, but a book that retains all the tension of a totally authentic Scandinavian crime thriller. I cannot praise it highly enough and on this showing ‘Norwegian By Night’ could well be one of my top crime reads this year. An outstanding read....more

If it wasn't for a few of my Goodread friends, this book probably would not have come to my notice. I would have missed a book that was wonderful, had all the elements that that I look for in something I read.

Sheldon, a Jewish man who served in the Korean War, moves to Norway with his grand-daughter and her husband. There he finds himself as a defender to a young boy whose mother has been killed. Sheldon is a wonderfully complicated character, said to be suffering from dementia, he is sharper thIf it wasn't for a few of my Goodread friends, this book probably would not have come to my notice. I would have missed a book that was wonderful, had all the elements that that I look for in something I read.

Sheldon, a Jewish man who served in the Korean War, moves to Norway with his grand-daughter and her husband. There he finds himself as a defender to a young boy whose mother has been killed. Sheldon is a wonderfully complicated character, said to be suffering from dementia, he is sharper then I can ever hope to be. There is humor, political fall-out, and a man who suffers from survivor guilt and the guilt he feels over the death of his only son in Vietnam.

This is well written adventure story, a personal odyssey by a man who feels he has little left to loose. Even the ending was just so darn perfect, if sad. So glad I didn't miss this one....more

What a great book! The first chapter is one of the best I have read in years. The book is philosophical, intelligent, heartbreaking. The lead character, 82 year old Sheldon Horowitz, is all that too, plus so wise and virtuous. All while maintaining a sense of humor to balance the bad things that have happened in his long life, mainly that everyone around him dies: his wife just recently, his son in the Vietnam war, his aging friends back in NYC, the Koreans he killed in the war, his unborn greatWhat a great book! The first chapter is one of the best I have read in years. The book is philosophical, intelligent, heartbreaking. The lead character, 82 year old Sheldon Horowitz, is all that too, plus so wise and virtuous. All while maintaining a sense of humor to balance the bad things that have happened in his long life, mainly that everyone around him dies: his wife just recently, his son in the Vietnam war, his aging friends back in NYC, the Koreans he killed in the war, his unborn great grandchild, and now the woman in the upstairs apartment. He carries a sort of survivor's guilt around with him that weighs heavily on his disposition.

The woman upstairs is actually murdered in his granddaughter's Oslo apartment while he hides in a closet with the woman's little boy. Not wanting the killer to come back for the child, Sheldon runs off with him with only his wits to get them out of Oslo and away from the killer and his gang of thugs. Sheldon leads them on a Huck and Jim type adventure down the river, while reminiscing of his Korean war days; WWII, the war that changed his life as an American Jew; and his son's death in Vietnam, for which he blames himself.

Sheldon is a multi-faceted character whom we get to know much better than anyone in his family ever knew him. I simply adored everything about him and everything about this book. 4.5 stars....more

Let’s start with the good stuff: Derek B. Miller’s novel is refreshingly original. What other book can YOU name that takes an octogenarian widowed American Jew who mourns a son “who named his daughter for a Greek Titan before being killed by a Vietnamese mine in an effort to please his Marine father who was once a sniper in Korea.”

Just – wow! Add to the fact that the American Jew – Sheldon Horowitz – may be suffering from dementia and also harbors a great deal of guilt for the death of Saul, hisLet’s start with the good stuff: Derek B. Miller’s novel is refreshingly original. What other book can YOU name that takes an octogenarian widowed American Jew who mourns a son “who named his daughter for a Greek Titan before being killed by a Vietnamese mine in an effort to please his Marine father who was once a sniper in Korea.”

Just – wow! Add to the fact that the American Jew – Sheldon Horowitz – may be suffering from dementia and also harbors a great deal of guilt for the death of Saul, his only son…and further add his witnessing of a violent argument between his Balkan upstairs neighbor and a scary stranger – and there is plenty of plot to propel this book forward.

The first 100 pages were extraordinary. Derek Miller masterfully creates a new twist to the “stranger in a strange land” story. Sheldon Horowitz says to his granddaughter, who has convinced him to emigrate to Norway: “A thousand Jews! I read it in the Lonely Planet guidebook! Five million people and one thousand Jews. The Norwegians do not know what a Jew is. They only think they know what a Jew is not.”

There’s a lot of real meat here: a combination of sociology and theology, deep insight into Norway’s culture, and the frosting on the cake – Scandinavian thriller-type elements.

Sheldon is a watchmaker by trade who wants to fix time. As he strikes out – Huckleberry Finn style – with Paul (a stand-in for Saul), the young, mute son of his murdered upstairs neighbor – the novel takes a turn. Spiriting his war-learned skills, Sheldon is able to hide both of them in plain sight, eluding his worried family, the police, and the rather one-dimensional Albanian war criminal who started this mess going in the first place.

Much of the ensuing chapters are a combination of merged real and fantasy-driven memories, fueled by flashbacks to the Korean and Vietnam War. For this particular reader – who tends to shun war tales – the result was less than satisfying, yet this is – admittedly – subjective. Interspersed with these tales are some gems and a true journey of discovery. For example, here is Sheldon reflecting: “He begins to sense that silence itself is a kind of language. There is more there than death and memory. More than the voices of the lost.”

In short, this is a genre-crossing book that will not appeal to every reader. For those who are open to an original story that highlights Norwegian life and tackles broad themes of making amends with the past and journeying to a sense of self, this is well worth the read. For those who prefer plot-driven books as evidenced by many current Scandinavian thrillers, it may not be. It’s not a perfect book. But it’s well worth the read....more

MichaelYou keep finding these quirkiy and wonderful books, and come back like an explorer with a great saga of your journey. How is it you have the best battYou keep finding these quirkiy and wonderful books, and come back like an explorer with a great saga of your journey. How is it you have the best batting average of high ratings in your reads? Do you truly dodge the 2 and 3 star ones, or do you cut them off after a few pages?...more
May 24, 2013 06:40PM

JillI rarely stay with a book that's less than 4 star. Usually quit after 50 pages. Life's too short for mediocre books!
May 24, 2013 08:15PM

Kasa CotugnoPaul thereoux' said the same thing last week
May 25, 2013 10:03PM

When you're in your eighties and a widower, the last thing you want to do is to move from your home in New York City to a new place with your granddaughter and her Norwegian husband in Oslo, Norway. But as Sheldon Horowitz knows, sometimes the last thing you want to do is the only thing you can do. He's lonely and wants to be with his granddaughter. His granddaughter has seen signs of dementia in her beloved grandfather and wants to keep him close to her.

WhFirst Line: It is summer and luminous.

When you're in your eighties and a widower, the last thing you want to do is to move from your home in New York City to a new place with your granddaughter and her Norwegian husband in Oslo, Norway. But as Sheldon Horowitz knows, sometimes the last thing you want to do is the only thing you can do. He's lonely and wants to be with his granddaughter. His granddaughter has seen signs of dementia in her beloved grandfather and wants to keep him close to her.

What neither one of them could possibly predict is an act of incredible violence that leaves a little motherless boy in old Sheldon Horowitz's care. Now the old man and the little boy are on the run from everyone who's chasing them, and we can only pray that the killer isn't the one who finds this odd pair first.

This is a book that defies categorization. It's part thriller, part police procedural, part road trip, part commentary on aging/relationships/dementia-- and it has flashes of comedy throughout. When I began reading this book, I was worried about Korean War veteran Sheldon Horowitz because I was remembering when my own grandfather lived with me. By the time I finished reading Norwegian By Night, I had a big smile on my face and wished that we could all be as demented as Derek B. Miller's main character.

This is a book that has so much to say-- and it manages to say everything in a rather concise manner. What this debut novelist says in 300 pages, most other writers would take at least twice the space. Miller never lets his foot off the gas-- this tale moves swiftly and surely from beginning to end. If you're the type of reader who wants a fast-paced book that starts at Point A and leads directly to Point B, you might want to give Norwegian By Night a miss. From time to time, the narrative wanders off onto dark alleys and narrow country lanes, as Sheldon visits the Korean and Vietnam Wars, memories of his wife and son... and as we learn a bit about the background of the silent little boy Sheldon is trying to keep safe. These diversions add a richness to the story that it cannot live without; they are the life's blood of Miller's characters. It takes an incredible amount of skill to be able to introduce these flashbacks and themes and not have them slow down the pace of the story, and Miller accomplishes it with ease.

The element of the chase keeps the story's pace flowing quickly, while those diversions add dimension to both characterization and to the themes of aging and regret that run throughout the book. And when the action gets too scary or one of the themes gets too dark, Sheldon Horowitz is there to say or do something that will make us laugh.

This book fed my mind on so many levels! It's been a long time since I've finished a book with such a huge smile on my face, wanting to invite a character home to live with me. Should we all be as crazy as Sheldon!...more

Norwegian By Night is the first novel by American-born author, Derek B. Miller. When 82-year-old American widower, Sheldon Horowitz goes to live with his granddaughter, Rhea and her Norwegian husband, Lars, in Olso, the last thing he expects is to find himself on the run from the police with a small boy in tow. But the ex-Marine, suffering dementia, according to Rhea, has witnessed the murder of the boy’s mother and feels compelled to keep the boy safe. He heads for the hills, unaware that everyNorwegian By Night is the first novel by American-born author, Derek B. Miller. When 82-year-old American widower, Sheldon Horowitz goes to live with his granddaughter, Rhea and her Norwegian husband, Lars, in Olso, the last thing he expects is to find himself on the run from the police with a small boy in tow. But the ex-Marine, suffering dementia, according to Rhea, has witnessed the murder of the boy’s mother and feels compelled to keep the boy safe. He heads for the hills, unaware that everyone else (Rhea and Lars, the police, the killer and his gang) is headed there too. Awarded the Crime Writer's Association John Creasy Dagger Award for a debut crime novel in 2013, it is, indeed, a brilliant debut novel, but it is much, much more than a crime novel. Miller has his characters opining on war criminals, ethnic cleansing, asylum legislation, immigration and integration, the treatment of Jews in Norway during World War Two and patriotism. The Korean War, drug trafficking, war atrocities, photography, Marine training, Vietnam, the Balkan conflict, revenge, guilt and grief all feature. Miller’s characters have depth and appeal. Sheldon may be a cranky, argumentative old man but it is impossible not to like him and his voice is clearly heard in the reader’s head. His conversations with both real and imagined people are full of wit and humour, some of it quite black. Rhea observes he can “sound childish and demented but logical all at once.” so that “Tea. Nazi. Milkshake. Police. Are we clear?” can make complete sense to the reader. Miller achieves the perfect mix of serious and hilarious, relieving tense moments with laugh out-loud-dialogue. This novel has twists and turns, plenty of tension and a nail-biting finish. This book is such a pleasure to read that it presents a dilemma for readers who will find themselves racing through it to know the final outcome whilst at the same time, wishing for it not to end. One can only hope that Miller will soon endow the reading public with another work of this calibre. Funny, moving, exciting and thought-provoking. ...more

I started to read this book while staying with my mother, who has Alzheimer's dementia. My sister recommended it, and lent me her copy,and there was a kind of relevant link in that the main character, Sheldon Horowitz, may also have dementia. He's an old man, and he's the hero.

When I began reading, I got confused. I don't know whether this was something to do with staying with my mother, whose illness always seems infectious. I'm much more easily confused with her, and by her, than elsewhere. BuI started to read this book while staying with my mother, who has Alzheimer's dementia. My sister recommended it, and lent me her copy,and there was a kind of relevant link in that the main character, Sheldon Horowitz, may also have dementia. He's an old man, and he's the hero.

When I began reading, I got confused. I don't know whether this was something to do with staying with my mother, whose illness always seems infectious. I'm much more easily confused with her, and by her, than elsewhere. But the central character in Norwegian by Night has flashbacks, which are also dreams, and his life is populated not only by living characters but dead ones. And there are three different wars influencing the action: the Korean War in which Sheldon once fought and in which a close friend was blown to bits, the Vietnam war in which Sheldon's son was killed, and the more recent Yugoslav wars, whose ripples are being played out in present day Norway, where the novel is set.

Even as I write it down I can see that sounds confusing. The dead are as real as the living. The guilt and horror of the past plays itself out in the present. A small child stands to lose everything.

Anyway, I got to page 67 and lost the plot. Then I left my mother's house and started again at page 1. This time, I got it. I got it completely.

This is a murder thriller, with a Norwegian (female) detective. A touch of noir, yes. But it's much more a character study, in which the reader (even me) increasingly identifies with an old man, struggling to make sense of both present and past, and with a small boy and a grown-up daughter to protect. It's a genre novel that defies genre description, though there is a brutal murder, and a journey, and violence, and survival; and everything builds towards a riveting climax.

I found myself deliberately stopping reading. Laying down the book and going to make a cup of tea, or getting up and paying attention to a non-urgent, because I was enjoying it so much, I didn't want it to end.

A particular thing that makes it special is the way all the characters have back story, even the minor villains. They aren't just Bad. Things have made them Bad, and you can see how they're all victims, as well as perpetrators. All this and it's wry and funny and edgy as well.

I warmly recommend this book. Oh, and the dementia, in the end, was a red herring. I didn't think he had dementia. I thought the past was as real to him as the present, which is a somewhat different matter. ...more

DawnHelena- now this is a lovely book review! I like this type of review from a person . You made this personal and explained a completely normal first reHelena- now this is a lovely book review! I like this type of review from a person . You made this personal and explained a completely normal first reaction . Your emotions and the experiences or feelings expressed were similar. From there you were confused and still feeling strange from your visit with your mother. So logically you sorted one mystery to clear your mind and found a very unusual mystery which helped you to examine some personal thoughts also.

Made you feel better? It sounds like a great book! I love books that are different and address the eerie feelings people sometimes deal with in their thinking. Sometimes , we feel we are reading and entering a dream for awhile at a point when we need to the most. I think I will try this too.

I am generally stingy with five stars and I am having a hard time justifying the fifth star for what appears to be a suspense or thriller novel. That's what the jacket flap makes it sound like but Norwegian by Night is somehow so much more that it defies my ability to pin down that much more in a short review.

I was snared by the title. Loved the picture on the front of the silhouette of the boy in a viking helmet. It's a debut novel, written by an American (so in English) who lives in Norway. JI am generally stingy with five stars and I am having a hard time justifying the fifth star for what appears to be a suspense or thriller novel. That's what the jacket flap makes it sound like but Norwegian by Night is somehow so much more that it defies my ability to pin down that much more in a short review.

I was snared by the title. Loved the picture on the front of the silhouette of the boy in a viking helmet. It's a debut novel, written by an American (so in English) who lives in Norway. Just exerted a lot of pull there on the shelf and into the book bag it went. It sounded like a good suspense story, another Scandinavian mystery, and probably an easy read, just what I was in the mood for - yipee! And I enjoyed all those things but my love for this book exceeds the basic premise of this novel.

I am a little in love with Sheldon, Jewish octogenarian who may or may not have dementia, former Marine and watch repairman, published photographer, philosopher, hero. I loved his talks with his son, his wife, his friends, all of whom he has outlived. With God, with his grand daughter and her Norwegian husband.

And I love how the author, through Rhea, explains Lars, the son in law, and Norwegian manhood. In my family we like to joke that Grandma married a Norwegian bachelor farmer (for followers of Garrison Keillor) - a quiet man who just gets up and does what needs to be done without a lot of fanfare. There should doubtless be many more ellipses here but you will get the gist.

"He has a transformative masculinity that hides itself from public view but comes alive privately in the way a cuddly brown bear transforms into a predator.

... It is as though the Norwegian nation has learned how to rein in unbridled masculine power and bring it into social balance, burying its rough edges from public view, but permitting expansive and embracing moments of both intimacy and force.

... He comes to terms with humanity as it presents itself. He expresses himself not in a torrent of words and ideas and disruptions, revelations and setbacks, but through an ever-expanding capacity to face what comes next. To see it clearly. To say what needs to be said and then stop."

Yup, that's my dad, Norwegian bachelor farmer who somehow found himself with a wife and family and just quietly went about loving and caring for them.

Wish I could better sum up all the good things to enjoy about this book. There are some good talking points and big themes, aging, dementia, what we present of ourselves to the world, to those we love, relationships, the fall out from multiple wars - for individuals, for nations, lots of things to think about. Just take my word for it, it's well written and there's more to it than some likeable characters and a mystery....more

I wanted to like this book. In fact, I was all prepared to love it. The premise was intriguing, the writing decent. However, two things ruined my ability to even get all the way through it. First, it is told at times in the voice of an elderly man believed to be suffering from a touch of dementia a'la old age. Fine, I get that. He's in his 80's so, could be. But, his telling can in no way be trusted. Again, that's not necessarily a bad thing -- unreliable narrators I can do. Not, though, when thI wanted to like this book. In fact, I was all prepared to love it. The premise was intriguing, the writing decent. However, two things ruined my ability to even get all the way through it. First, it is told at times in the voice of an elderly man believed to be suffering from a touch of dementia a'la old age. Fine, I get that. He's in his 80's so, could be. But, his telling can in no way be trusted. Again, that's not necessarily a bad thing -- unreliable narrators I can do. Not, though, when the story jumps from present-to-past-to-fantasy-to-past-to-delusion-to-present-to... Do you see what I mean? One minute he can barely navigate his thoughts, the next he's orchestrated the covert takeover of a heavily guarded boat -- all with wanted fugitive minor in tow? I have trouble trusting a novel once the author has made what I consider to be incredible breaches in common sense or believability. And, the one that I just couldn't move beyond was the storyline that had the elderly character's deeply concerned, frantic, panicked daughter discover a bloody murder scene in the apartment her grandfather was now missing from, and she and her husband decide to head out to a family cabin for a few days for a little R&R. What? You have got to be kidding Me? Who does that? When characters are written to do ridiculous, unbelievable things just to move plot points along, I must opt out. And, I think it safe to predict that I'll not be opting in for any additional offerings from this author....more

In this life, my body has become a withered twig, where once I stood tall... In this life, I hobble as an old man, when once I could fly over doubts and contradictions. In this life, my memories are the smoke I choke on, burning my eyes. In this life, I remember hungers that will never return, when once I was a lover with the bluest eyes... This life! This life is coming to an end without any explanation or apology... This life was an abrupt and tragicSheldon's answer to a question about life...

In this life, my body has become a withered twig, where once I stood tall... In this life, I hobble as an old man, when once I could fly over doubts and contradictions. In this life, my memories are the smoke I choke on, burning my eyes. In this life, I remember hungers that will never return, when once I was a lover with the bluest eyes... This life! This life is coming to an end without any explanation or apology... This life was an abrupt and tragic dream that seized me during the wee hours of a Saturday morning as the sunrise reflected off the mirror above her vanity mirror, leaving me speechless just as the world faded to white.

With the death of his beloved wife Mabel, eighty-two year old Sheldon Horowitz was persuaded by his grand-daughter Rhea to join her husband Lars and Rhea in Norway. Sheldon had lived in New York for a long time, but with the passing of Mabel and the possibility of having dementia, he grudging made the journey. As a former Marine sniper in the Korean war, the fact that his only son Saul was killed on a second tour of duty in Vietnam did something terrible to Sheldon. He blamed himself for Saul’sWith the death of his beloved wife Mabel, eighty-two year old Sheldon Horowitz was persuaded by his grand-daughter Rhea to join her husband Lars and Rhea in Norway. Sheldon had lived in New York for a long time, but with the passing of Mabel and the possibility of having dementia, he grudging made the journey. As a former Marine sniper in the Korean war, the fact that his only son Saul was killed on a second tour of duty in Vietnam did something terrible to Sheldon. He blamed himself for Saul’s death, and was consumed with grief and guilt for most of his life.

The morning when he was alone in the apartment – Rhea and Lars had gone for a walk – he could hear the neighbours fighting again. It was an ongoing thing, but this time it seemed different. As circumstances would have it, he was able to hide the woman and her young son inside his apartment; until the perpetrator broke down the door. The horror of the next ten minutes caused Sheldon to act – immediately he needed to keep the boy safe….suddenly they were on the run, leaving the gruesome images behind them; who knew what the boy had in his mind.

As the old man and the young boy made their way through Norway, keeping to areas where no-one would think to look, the police were deeply involved. Sigrid and Petter, investigating officers, were frustrated and on edge. Why couldn’t they find an old man who was travelling with a young boy? How hard could it be? But Sheldon was using his wiles; his knowledge from years past helped him keep the boy safe. Sigrid found herself focussing on a Balkan war criminal named Enver – but she couldn’t find him either….

I found this book a little disappointing and not quite as I imagined it would be. The writing was very choppy, going backwards and forwards between current events and the past; which is fine except it wasn’t clearly defined some of the time and therefore broke the flow of the story. There were also some instances of past and present tense in the one section which is an editing issue. But I mostly enjoyed the story; the concept of the young and the old was a great one, and Sheldon is a great character. The ending was abrupt in my opinion; I felt it didn’t quite finish…

Thanks for the recommendation from my GR friend Marianne; I’m glad I read this book, and do recommend it to others....more

Ok, it's my failing, no doubt, that I didn't get more out of this book. So many people have loved it that you can take my two star rating with a grain of salt. I just didn't get it, from the title - what did that mean? - to the motivations of the central characters to the genre. Yes, even the genre - was it a thriller or a story about a man looking back on his life or a black comedy or...it had elements of all of those things but it didn't really deliver on any of them.

The hero is Sheldon HorowiOk, it's my failing, no doubt, that I didn't get more out of this book. So many people have loved it that you can take my two star rating with a grain of salt. I just didn't get it, from the title - what did that mean? - to the motivations of the central characters to the genre. Yes, even the genre - was it a thriller or a story about a man looking back on his life or a black comedy or...it had elements of all of those things but it didn't really deliver on any of them.

The hero is Sheldon Horowitz, aged 82, who, after losing his wife, has moved from New York to Norway to live with his granddaughter and her Norwegian husband. Sheldon fought in Korea in his youth and always kept the details of what happened there a secret from his family, to the extent that when he talks about it now, they assume that he must have dementia. When a neighbour is savagely murdered, Sheldon takes her child and goes on the run, to protect the child. This decision hinges on some assumptions that it seems unlikely anyone would actually make and it weakens what follows. Sheldon and the child evade the police all over Norway while the killer moves in on his family, determined to track the boy down. At the same time, being with the boy causes Sheldon to revisit and re-examine many aspects of his relationship with his own son.

I did really like parts of this book, particularly the loving depictions of Norway and the occasional flashes of humour. However it was let down for me by the fact that none of the characters were fleshed out - and some of them had the potential to be terrific characters. I hope the author revisits Sigrid the police chief and that we get to find out more about her. Sheldon was also a great character - there is a lovely scene when he puts his granddaughter in her place about his dementia - but the way that the story kept chopping and changing between his past and his present and the police and the granddaughter and the villains meant that we kept losing focus on him. Also the ending, when it comes, is really rushed. We never fully understand the villian's motivations and hello? what about Lars please?...more

I really wanted to like Norwegian by Night. The descriptions I heard of it made me want to find a book that I could pass on to others and say it's funny, suspenseful, and the characters were great. But, it wasn't any of those things really. The problem is that I never connected with any of the characters. So it was none of those.

First, there is a crime in the story, and it drives the action, but the real background story is how the main character tries to cope with the loss of his son which heI really wanted to like Norwegian by Night. The descriptions I heard of it made me want to find a book that I could pass on to others and say it's funny, suspenseful, and the characters were great. But, it wasn't any of those things really. The problem is that I never connected with any of the characters. So it was none of those.

First, there is a crime in the story, and it drives the action, but the real background story is how the main character tries to cope with the loss of his son which he does through flashbacks. Which may have been endearing, but he sees things and many of the characters claim he has dementia, so you can never really make the connection that these feelings and remorse he has actually has any basis in reality. The little boy hardly says a word and, other than wearing a Jewish star and Viking helmet, has little to no characterization. The police officer and grand daughter of the main character are never developed long enough to provide characterization.

So, it wasn't bad, but I was never able to care about any of the characters which held it back a lot in my opinion. ...more

This is a gem of a book, which I have been waiting to read for sometime. That delay has been my loss; this is an excellent literary thriller, worthy of the hype. This is crime fiction at its best and a first rate novel.With a memorable main character, Sheldon Horowitz, an 82 year old widower and a plot that is tense but never gets in the way of the story, here is a book you long to read and seldom find.Beautifully written, character driven and relationship centred the story speaks with universalThis is a gem of a book, which I have been waiting to read for sometime. That delay has been my loss; this is an excellent literary thriller, worthy of the hype. This is crime fiction at its best and a first rate novel.With a memorable main character, Sheldon Horowitz, an 82 year old widower and a plot that is tense but never gets in the way of the story, here is a book you long to read and seldom find.Beautifully written, character driven and relationship centred the story speaks with universal force, with pathos and passion revealing humanity at its lowest while re-enforcing community and friendship.Above all it demonstrates the depth of a human life and will leave you enriched to have shared this journey.

I would have given this book 3.5 stars if I could. It was a good read but a few things stopped it from being a great read for me. It was quite engaging and the pace was quick and towards the end it was almost "unputdownable" but I felt that the story line and the characters could have done with a bit more filling in. I also would have liked a bit more resolution at the end. I think too, the editing wasn't great as there were a few errors that annoyed me. Overall though an enjoyable read and oneI would have given this book 3.5 stars if I could. It was a good read but a few things stopped it from being a great read for me. It was quite engaging and the pace was quick and towards the end it was almost "unputdownable" but I felt that the story line and the characters could have done with a bit more filling in. I also would have liked a bit more resolution at the end. I think too, the editing wasn't great as there were a few errors that annoyed me. Overall though an enjoyable read and one that I would still recommend....more

Yesterday we had our first serious snowfall. It was a grey and humid day that made me feel depressed at the idea that winter is here after all. So I declare it a “reading day” and sat at the couch with this book. It has been a long time since I read a whole book in a single day…

The book is a genre defying mystery – all the mysteries I have come across lately are genre defying – about an old man transplanted to Norway to live with his only relative, his granddaughter, where he witness a murder aYesterday we had our first serious snowfall. It was a grey and humid day that made me feel depressed at the idea that winter is here after all. So I declare it a “reading day” and sat at the couch with this book. It has been a long time since I read a whole book in a single day…

The book is a genre defying mystery – all the mysteries I have come across lately are genre defying – about an old man transplanted to Norway to live with his only relative, his granddaughter, where he witness a murder and in his confusion runs away with the murdered woman’s small son.

Every story demands a certain amount of suspense of disbelief, some stories demands a bit more… and although I liked this book very much, I wish I could believe on Sheldon’s – the main character - actions more than I do . Dementia, as it is hinted in the beginning could do it, but the author seems to abandon that line very early on.

What I do like very much is the sense of cultural crash happening, the chaos of immigrants and locals, of an ordered society trying to accommodate other more chaotic, macho and violent societies into its fabric. This conversation is happening all around me, here in Canada, were immigration is a necessity, yet we don’t know how to deal with the sometimes deep rooted cultural, religious and gender based differences of other groups.

Something else this book made me reflect on, how the scars of war, terrorism and violence permeates everywhere, affecting people 1 or 2 generations removed. How the Holocaust could lead someone to the Korean War, and could lead another generation to the War in Vietnam. Or the atrocities of Serbia and Kosovo could follow people to Norway… Or Canada… Or anywhere for that matter.

Here in Canada I often feel isolated from it all, even when my eyes water at the view of murdered women and children in Syria or Palestine on TV. Then, someone shoots at a ceremonial guard at the Canadian War Memorial, or drives his car over a near to retirement army officer in the name of causes and hurts I cannot begin to understand … But I am getting off topic. Or Am I?

Maybe it was the weather: the snow and fog that made me overly blue. ...more

Wow... just: wow. I loved this book. The tone, the characters, the humor, and the dialogue are all spot on. There's so much here, on so many levels and subjects. Norwegian by Night has things to say about aging, culture, sanity, politics, family, influence, war, memory -- and yet it manages to stay away from preachyness or telling you what to think. Best novel I've read in a while.

Most reviews I had read before starting this book were kind of negative. I thought this was because the book was often described as a "literary thriller" and that it probably didn't have enough crime/thriller elements for many people. As I really enjoy literary thrillers I decided to give it a chance. There also seemed to be similar structures The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared which I enjoyed very much. Now I have to admit that my assumptions were wrong.NorweMost reviews I had read before starting this book were kind of negative. I thought this was because the book was often described as a "literary thriller" and that it probably didn't have enough crime/thriller elements for many people. As I really enjoy literary thrillers I decided to give it a chance. There also seemed to be similar structures The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared which I enjoyed very much. Now I have to admit that my assumptions were wrong.Norwegian by Night isn't the typical thriller. The crime elements only play a minor. There are also some parts which could be called literary. But I often didn't get the author's point. For example I didn't understand why it should be important that the old man is Jewish. In my opinion the end also was unnecessarily brutal. The book was a quick read with some enjoyable parts. But it really isn't something I'd widely recommend....more

When you get to a certain age you can get by with anything, or so says Sheldon (our utterly delightful protagonist). Not that I have such experience, I try stuff but I don't get away with with.

Sheldon is now an old man that has lived with his inter-demons a long time. He barely missed serving in WW2 but headed straight into the Korean War. I really hesitate to say too much about Sheldon, because if you stereotype him, you will miss so much. He is his own character. The author made a comment at tWhen you get to a certain age you can get by with anything, or so says Sheldon (our utterly delightful protagonist). Not that I have such experience, I try stuff but I don't get away with with.

Sheldon is now an old man that has lived with his inter-demons a long time. He barely missed serving in WW2 but headed straight into the Korean War. I really hesitate to say too much about Sheldon, because if you stereotype him, you will miss so much. He is his own character. The author made a comment at the end of the book, that said Shelton helped him write the ending. It really felt like that.

Through a series of happenstances and coincidences he finds himself protecting a young boy from harm. So much of what he does is because of who he is and the circumstances he finds himself in. While he does not make this point in the book, I can't help but think he would be pleased with the comparison, "And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

The suspense is real and natural and all of the characters are realistic and engaging. This is an enjoyable and thought provoking read....more

I did like several aspects of it, such as the brief insight it gave into the background of the war in Serbia/Kosovo, seen from a ground level... but the overall premise of the book about (sorry, spoiler alert!)the father wanting to regain custody of his son by rape, did not make sense, or ring true. I mean, what was his MOTIVE? Maybe I missed a sentence or two that explained it as I was reading this before bed and was awakened by it falling on my face more thaWell, ok, 2/3 on the grading scale.

I did like several aspects of it, such as the brief insight it gave into the background of the war in Serbia/Kosovo, seen from a ground level... but the overall premise of the book about (sorry, spoiler alert!)the father wanting to regain custody of his son by rape, did not make sense, or ring true. I mean, what was his MOTIVE? Maybe I missed a sentence or two that explained it as I was reading this before bed and was awakened by it falling on my face more than once.

Given that I learned about this book in a NYTimes article that gushed over Norwegian Slow-TV (we have for example a 12 hour TV program about the chopping and cutting of wood - it may sound stupid, but it is like visual poetry) but stated that to learn about the "real Norway" one could read this novel... well, I had certain expectations. I also had a strong apprehension as to whether or not I as an expatriate writer living in Northern Norway would agree with the Norway portrayed in the writing of another Anglo-expatriate living in Oslo.

To answer that, let me say... methinks he presumes too much. Certain aspects of his mild-mannered, understated Norwegian character, Lars, are authentic, but there is a basic flaw in the conceit of presenting Norway through the POV of an 82 year old Jewish American who knows zilch about Norway and is not interested in observing and learning either. On page 1 he wants to shove a hotdog up Lars's nose, because Lars is so... well, Norwegian. Then inexplicably he has an accommodating if not charitable attitude toward Lars in the ensuing 280-some pages. The whole plot revolves around the point that if Norwegians housed guns, and didn't have to travel dozens of kilometres to their remote cabins to fetch a hunting rifle with which to fend off East European thugs, this whole drama could have been solved sooner and without so much bloodshed. In typical Hollywood fashion, the American single-handedly leads the way, with no explanation as to why he has endless amounts of Norwegian cash on him (Norwegians typically have only plastic in their wallets) and can read bus schedules, maps, menus and make his way through the country without knowing a word of the language.

My book has WTF scribbled in the margins of many pages where I found the author's statements about Norway to be remiss. The worst of these is when he says that Lars goes hunting with his father... for reindeer! I mean, WTF?! That's like if Lars and father lived in Wisconsin and went hunting cows. He also talks about low-carb diets and Brad Pitt being featured on the cover of Aftenposten, Norway's most non-tabloid of all newspapers. I don't get how that stuff gets past an editor, but also how Miller who lives in Norway can seem so ignorant of his surroundings.

Miller's solid knowledge of law enforcement, international conflicts, and history inform his writing, and the parallel he draws to Huck Finn is fun. He has some fine sentences, as when he writes of dementia, "Without a future the mind turns back in on itself".

Before reading this I saw Amazon reviews ooing and aahing this portrayal of a "strange and exotic Norway" and exalting it as a "dark Norwegian novel written by a non-Norwegian"... I dunno. I think this novel is very obviously written by a non-Norwegian, and falls into the trap of presuming to have more insight into a culture than it does. ...more

Because the book takes place in Norway with Norwegian place names, it was a bit difficult for me to follow parts of the book. But it is written with heart, and I became very attached to Sheldon, the 82-year-old protagonist. Does he suffer from dementia as his recently deceased wife and his granddaughter, whom he raised both believe? At times it appears so, and he does live in the past at times, carrying on conversations with former people in his life. He carries a burden of guilt for his son's dBecause the book takes place in Norway with Norwegian place names, it was a bit difficult for me to follow parts of the book. But it is written with heart, and I became very attached to Sheldon, the 82-year-old protagonist. Does he suffer from dementia as his recently deceased wife and his granddaughter, whom he raised both believe? At times it appears so, and he does live in the past at times, carrying on conversations with former people in his life. He carries a burden of guilt for his son's death because he feels he encouraged Saul to go into the Vietnam war. And he is angry about the centuries of persecution his Jewish forefathers have endured. Despite all he is dealing with, Sheldon proves he is ingenious and caring when faced with people who need his help. Could a man with dementia carry out what he does to protect a small boy? You have to admire and laugh at the interaction between Sheldon and the boy. My only criticism is I was disappointed at how the book ended. But then, I'm a romantic and want things wrapped up tidily. However, the author lets each reader decide how things will turn out. A very good first novel by Derek Miller. ...more

Cheryl wrote: "Judy, thanks for the review and recommendation. I think this might be soAngela wrote: "Thanks for this review , Judy . I've added it ."

Cheryl wrote: "Judy, thanks for the review and recommendation. I think this might be something I'd really enjoy reading."

It is quite a different book. At first, I wasn't sure I could get into it, but it caught me. I meant to say something in my review about what I learned how refugees from Kosovar went to Norway during the war with Serbians. But the review was too long, anyway. It's just an interesting element in the book....more
Apr 30, 2014 10:41AM

Cheryl KennedyYes it is and thanks for adding it in the comments section.
Apr 30, 2014 01:31PM

Let us start with the narrator. Sean Mangan did a brilliant job with adding an extra dimension to an already brilliant book!

Derek B. Miller wrote a story with such a moving plot, such a heartwrenching theme and such an intriguing presentation that he now undoubtedly has a new fan!

I am not going to rehash the storyline for you. What I will say is that if you love insight into human nature and motivation and craves a fresh and at times brutally honest insight into the world and perceptions we liveLet us start with the narrator. Sean Mangan did a brilliant job with adding an extra dimension to an already brilliant book!

Derek B. Miller wrote a story with such a moving plot, such a heartwrenching theme and such an intriguing presentation that he now undoubtedly has a new fan!

I am not going to rehash the storyline for you. What I will say is that if you love insight into human nature and motivation and craves a fresh and at times brutally honest insight into the world and perceptions we live with, then this is a must read.

I loved the main character, who you may call an unreliable narrator. At one part, he is described as: "... an old Marine who may be suffering from dementia. Or sadness. Or something. He's in his eighties.”

No one really seems to be sure what Sheldon is suffering from. I like the idea of dementia and sadness serving essentially the same purpose. The reader decides pretty early on to believe Sheldon (or not) and for me, (view spoiler)[it's pretty apparent that Sheldon is simply s3.5 stars, maybe.

I loved the main character, who you may call an unreliable narrator. At one part, he is described as: "... an old Marine who may be suffering from dementia. Or sadness. Or something. He's in his eighties.”

No one really seems to be sure what Sheldon is suffering from. I like the idea of dementia and sadness serving essentially the same purpose. The reader decides pretty early on to believe Sheldon (or not) and for me, (view spoiler)[it's pretty apparent that Sheldon is simply sad, may create his own delusions to simulate comfort or find answers, but is honest about his military background (hide spoiler)]. I'd be interested to see if others came to opposite conclusions, but I doubt it.

I liked that Sheldon's sadness and history framed this novel. I think Miller does a great job defining Sheldon strongly within his background - he's Jewish, ex-military, a watchmaker, a foreigner in Norway. It's pretty apparent Miller has injected his own experiences with Norway as an expat - the assigned seating in the movie theater, the lukewarm coffee. The whole novel serving as a journey for Sheldon to redo a mistake, if not to forgive himself for those mistakes, is very honest-feeling. This book really helped me understand that we really never forgive our misdeeds, even if they were only ever in goodwill. We replay them, we relive them, we can't believe the things we said or did led to such devastating consequences.

I enjoyed Sigrid and her relationship with her father. I would love to see a whole series featuring Sigrid the policewoman! It made me laugh to think of her going home at night to watch shows about American crime and bemoaning Norway's lack of organized crime.

For all its strengths, I thought that this could have been a stronger, tighter novel. How interesting, in the acknowledgements, to see that the author had allowed Norway to publish this in English first. He mentions that he considers this American novel to be the definitive version. Strange. I'd like to see the other version. I think even the American version could have been reworked further.

I'm not sure the flashbacks to Vietnam were necessary. They were all speculative flashbacks anyways - Sheldon framing his son's experiences in 'nam, trying to guess at what it must have been like. I don't know. They felt disjointed and unimportant to me. I assume the part about Kosovo war criminals being accepted refugees into Norway must be true (the author works with the United Nations), but it felt really out there to me. I never really connected with the plot either. Sheldon gets wrapped up with this whole Serbian murder, and it serves to move the plot along and for Miller to explore the depths of Sheldon's psyche, but... I guess I felt like Miller had created some very real characters (Sheldon and Sigrid, yes - but also Rhea and Lars, Sigrid's father, Sigrid's sidekick Petter), and I thought the plot wasn't as strong as its characters and their motivations.

I wanted to write this whole paragraph about how I would recommend Miller do x and y in the future, and I laughed a bit. It made me think of this tangent Sheldon went on (he goes on a lot of them in the novel, and you'd think they be annoying and distracting, but they're not!) about a Coca-Cola commercial idea he had once. He describes it - it's good - and he sort of rants oh, "It eats you up! There's nothing you can do! It reaches into your gut and plucks your piano string! But what do you do with an idea like that? Nothing. You send it in, they steal it. Meanwhile, I don't have my own soft-drink company."

He's right - I have these ideas, these visions for authors to produce better versions of their novels! It plucks the piano string of my gut, but what can I do? I don't have my own publishing company. ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>...more

What a wonderful book. Has it all. Murder, mystery, man on the run with child, elderly protagonist, female police chief struggling to make sense of things, and a complete lack of stereotypes. It's also really well-written, authentic dialogue, crisp description, realistic depiction of a wide range of characters, both major and minor.

Sheldon Horowitz, 82 years old and a new arrival in Norway, (and possibly on the verge of dementia), is living with his granddaughter and her new husband, a NorwegiaWhat a wonderful book. Has it all. Murder, mystery, man on the run with child, elderly protagonist, female police chief struggling to make sense of things, and a complete lack of stereotypes. It's also really well-written, authentic dialogue, crisp description, realistic depiction of a wide range of characters, both major and minor.

Sheldon Horowitz, 82 years old and a new arrival in Norway, (and possibly on the verge of dementia), is living with his granddaughter and her new husband, a Norwegian. After a brutal crime occurs in his apartment building, he flees with a little boy, afraid to turn the boy in to the police (for reasons which are explained). He takes off across Norway with only his wits, his Marine training, and his love for his own son (who died in Vietnam) to help him. Oh, there's also an old friend, Bill, who make brief appearances to alternately chide Sheldon, and give him advice. The story is taut, tried and true, perhaps, but the world-view is all-encompassing as Sheldon relives events from the Korean War, (in which he fought), and events with his wife, deceased, and his son, also deceased. It's an amazing tour de force and how the author kept it altogether - I don't know, but he did.

This would make a terrific film. I can see one of our older American actors in the role of Sheldon, someone who is in their late 70's to early 80's. Which is another thing I loved about the book! The main MC is elderly, but still able to protect this little boy...

Well, hey, there are emotional elements in the story, but the story is far from sentimental. This book needs to be filmed.

Oh, and a few critics have voiced one complaint, that after the 'crime,' the granddaughter and her husband take off for a summer home, which strains the believability of the story. Well, there are two reasons for this, which I think can be revealed without being spoilers. (This happens very early in the book.)

One: The granddaughter has a very good reason why she wants to go to this house. It's specific to the story, and explained in the story.

Two: The couple have two homes, and in one of them a horrible crime was committed - and it's a crime scene. So, if you own a second home, it's very natural that you would go there and not a hotel. But the first reason overrides this second one. (I also own two homes, and if one became a crime scene, I'd go to the second and keep in constant contact with the police.)

Derek B. Miller is an American novelist and international policy specialist. He was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and has lived abroad since 1996 in Israel, England, Hungary, Switzerland, and Norway. His interest in fiction began a few years after graduating from Sarah Lawrence College.

Miller's debut novel, Norwegian by Night, won the Crime Writers' Association's John Creasey "New BlooDerek B. Miller is an American novelist and international policy specialist. He was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and has lived abroad since 1996 in Israel, England, Hungary, Switzerland, and Norway. His interest in fiction began a few years after graduating from Sarah Lawrence College.

Miller's debut novel, Norwegian by Night, won the Crime Writers' Association's John Creasey "New Blood" Dagger, and was selected as a Book of the Year (2013) by The Economist, Financial Times and The Guardian among others.

He is also director of The Policy Lab and a senior fellow with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. He was educated in Geneva (Ph.D.), Oxford (Linacre College and St. Catz), Georgetown (MA) and Sarah Lawrence College (BA)....more

“Everyone gets killed in the shower. Don't you go to the movies? Psycho. Dead in shower. The MExican in No country for Old Men. Dead in shower. Michelle Pfeiffer in What Lies Beneath. Almost dead in shower, or in the bath, anyway. But she did that thing with her toe and got out OD. Still the shower, though...Glen Close in Fatal Attraction. Dead in shower. John Travolta in Pulp Fiction. Very dead in shower. But never closets. I can't think of anyone shot in a closet. This is why I hide in closets.”
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